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M OTO R I N G

Davidson dealer I found this second-hand black 1980 special edition Sturgis model, the very first belt-driven Harley. I bought it, took it out on a highway and finally experienced what I had been dreaming about since 1969: the true Easy Rider feel. It was priceless. I’ve owned a couple of Harleys since then and, in 1991 while attending the Daytona Beach Bike Week, I had the opportunity to chat to Fonda about his film that sparked my passion for motorbikes and the endless road. While supporting actor Nicholson, a complete unknown when the film was made, and colleague Hopper turned into superstars, Henry Fonda’s son, Jane Fonda’s brother and Bridget Fonda’s dad is fondly remembered for just Easy Rider. By the way, Bridget played a four-year-old kid in the hippie commune scene in the movie. While attending this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, Fonda once again mounted a replica of his famous Captain America bike and, to the roar of the crowd, took it for a spin. He’s 70-something now and still smoking pot — obviously one of the side effects of the movie. But his worst memory from making the film? “Riding this bike with my arms stretched out, through the blistering heat and then in the evening entering a bar, ordering an ice-cold beer and not being able to drink it because my bloody arms didn’t bend anymore.” It’s now 40 years later. I am in South Dakota attending the 69th Anniversary Sturgis Rally, the largest motorcycle gath- ering in the world, riding the newest 2010 Harley-Davidson models. The closest one to the original Easy Rider feel is the new Wide Glide with the flame décor on the tank. Feet in Bikers at the 69th Anniversary front, arms outstretched, sitting low in the bike, I am once Sturgis Rally in South Dakota again looking for that particular feeling in my gut, that timeless freedom. Though with about 600 000 other bikers around me, cruising along an empty highway is not possible. 2010 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide At least not during this week in August, when the small western town of Sturgis does most of its annual business. I finally managed to find a less-frequented route, close to Mount Rushmore. Like all new Harleys, the Wide Glide is pure perfection. A technical masterpiece, with all the modern technology skillfully hidden behind its old-style look and feel. With a chopper-like rake of 34 degrees this bike really reminds me of Billy’s chopper in Easy Rider and, like him, I struggled a bit in the parking lot with the long fork. H a r l e y - D av i d s o n ’s enormous success is based on quoting the 105-year-old history of the company with each and every model. The personification of the living legend is the great- grandson of the company’s founder. Willie G Davidson is still riding the bikes, bearing his name to all major motorcycle events. Like his bikes he seems to stay forever young. If there was ever an eternal motor vehicle, it has to be the iron horse from Milwaukee. And much of the perceptions about these bikes have their origins in Easy Rider. Get on your Harley and forget all about your problems — including the economic downturn, which only marginally affected the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Or to quote Harley-Davidson’s most recent marketing campaign: “Screw it. Let’s ride.”

Harley-Davidson, www.harley-davidson.com Harley-Davidson Museum, www.h-dmuseum.com Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com

AT A GLANCE: 2010 HARLEY-DAVIDSON WIDE GLIDE

En g i n e : V2–1 584cc, electronic fuel injection Power: 78 h p / 57 k W Gearbox: six-speed transmission Wheels: front 21 inch, rear 17 inch, black-laced steel Model features: blacked-out engine with chrome accents, forward-mounted footpegs, wide fork, drag handle bars, lowered suspension, chopped rear fender, low-slung, black sissy bar Price in the US: $15 194 for the vivid black model with clear-coated flames graphic

Besides the Wide Glide there are three more new models for next year: a lowered Fat Boy, a Road Glide Custom bagger and the luxurious tourer, the Electra Wanted exclusive: Dieter Losskarn rides Glide Ultra Limited the 2010 Wide Glide

18 SEPTEMBER 2009, WA N T E D